Gay couples receive marriage licenses in Bernalillo County

Couples packed the Bernalillo County Clerk's office Tuesday morning to receive the first marriage licenses offered to gay couples in county history.

The first gay couple to receive a marriage license issued by Bernallilo County received theirs shortly after the office opened at 8 a.m.

Karen Schmiegy, 69, and Pat Catlett, 61, are the first same-sex couple to get a marriage license in Bernalillo County. The couple has been together for more than 20 years. They met in New York and moved to New Mexico.

"It’s a great day for Bernalillo County. The rest of the state will follow suit very soon, I’m sure,"

Rebecca Johnson and Briteney Nichols were the second couple to get a gender- neutral marriage license. They have been dating for nine months, and plan to wed on Oct. 13.

"I'm in love with her. I want it to be the same as everyone else gets afforded," Johnson said.

The licenses are being issued after District Court Judge Alan Malott ruled Monday that it was unconstitutional to deny couples the right to marry based on sexual orientation.

Bernalillo County is third county in New Mexico to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Last week, Dona Ana and Santa Fe counties started recognized gay marriage.

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